Explore the past and celebrate the future at Halifax Heritage Festival

This year’s Halifax Heritage Festival will look to the future as well as the past, with a series of high profile openings during the weekend.

Around 20 heritage sites in Halifax will be opening their doors to visitors with planned events and activities from Thursday 7 to Sunday 10 September.

The weekend coincides with the official opening of the Central Library and Archives on Saturday 9 September by Dr Jonathan Foyle. The new library will also host talks, nearby walks and visitors can take a self-guided tour with information about the new facility, as well as the history of the site and its immediate surroundings.

There’s also the opportunity to celebrate the reopening of Calderdale Industrial Museum. Visitors are invited to explore the unique collection of industrial machinery from 1- 4pm on Saturday 9 September and 10am-4pm on Sunday 10 September.

In addition, the newly extended Square Chapel Arts Centre is hosting its official launch weekend with special events and performances, including family shows at the reduced ticket price of £3-£5. Visit https://www.squarechapel.co.uk/(external link) for further details.

“This year, events in Halifax Heritage Festival will not only showcase the town’s fascinating history, but also look towards its bright future with the official opening of the Central Library and Archive, the Industrial Museum and the revamped Square Chapel.

“The opening of these remarkable buildings marks another stage in the transformation of Halifax Town Centre, and completes the vibrant cultural, heritage and learning quarter with the recently reopened Piece Hall, Orangebox Young People’s Centre and the forthcoming Leeds Beckett University Business Centre at Piece Mill.”

Calderdale museums will also be hosting events, and Halifax Town Hall and the Victoria Theatre will be offering guided tours, allowing visitors to take a look behind the scenes at these magnificent buildings.

Running alongside the national Heritage Open Days, the Halifax Heritage Festival is coordinated by Halifax Business Improvement District. For more information about all the events taking place as part of Halifax Heritage Festival, visit www.visitcalderdale.com(external link) or search for @HxHeritageFest on twitter.